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From Realgm.com

Saturday, July 17, 2004

Knicks Summer League Review; Erick Dampier; Jamal Crawford vs. Vince Carter

Summer League
Mike Sweetney concluded his impressive summer league with a 30 point, 15 rebound, 2 block performance against the Warriors on Thursday. He was among 4 Knicks who played well enough to merit appearances on the Knicks preseason squad.

Mike Sweetney averaged 19.6 points and 9.8 rebounds over the games, which basically means Sweetney is a 20/10 SL guy. He was unstoppable at times, drawing double and triple teams and scoring. He's almost impossible to stop on the low block once he gets in position, and played effectively on defense. His two setbacks were turnovers and fouls, however it looks like he has a handle on his turnovers. His first two performances he had 15 combined turnovers, which isn't good at all. However, in his final three games he averaged only 2.6 turnovers, which isn't bad considering he was often the focus of the opponent's D and was double and triple teamed.

Trevor Ariza started off strong and finished weak, though an injury which kept him out of game 5 could've been a reason for the drop in play. For the week, Ariza played a solid, all-around game, averaging 14 points, 6.75 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Ariza scores with post-ups, dunks, and mid-range jumpers, which is promising because if an outside jumper is developed (remeber, he's only 19 years old), Ariza could become an unstoppable offensive force. His offensive game is very well-rounded for a player of his age and experience, and he also rebounded effectively for a small forward and often ran the Knicks' offense. He will make the Knicks team this year.

Andre Barret was not spectacular but played under control and was the best point guard on the team. He averaged 6.2 points, 3.4 assists, and only 1.4 turnovers per game. He was a ballhawk on defense, guarding from baseline to baseline, and should get an invite to preseason. If the Knicks trade Frank Williams and/or Moochie Norris (more on that below), he would be a good candidate for 12th man or the injured list.

DerMarr Jonson started off the SL with poor performances, but managed to get his act together and have some nice games. Johnson still shoots a low percentage from the floor and turns the ball over a lot, but he is a capable scorer and showed he could do one thing not many Knicks do (with exceptions to Mike Sweetney): get to the line. Johnson averaged 5.6 trips to the line per game, which is a nice amount considering he converts on most of his opportunities. There were two games where it looked like it was his job getting to the line, and those performances (11 FT in one game, 8 FT in another) should merit his making the preseason squad. He averaged 13 points and 5.2 rebounds through the 5 games.

Erick Dampier Trade Rumors
According to the New York Post (link), the Knicks and Warriors are talking about a swap involving Erick Dampier, Nazr Mohammed, and Othella Harrington. Mullin seems to be hell-bent on getting "character" players, veterans who play hard, practice hard, and don't complain. He's so intent on filling his roster with players like this that he dropped the entire mid-level exception on Derek Fisher, a 30 year old point guard when the Warriors already have 2 point guards with guaranteed contracts.

The Warriors gain some financial flexibility and front court depth with the move, and the Knicks counter Miami's acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal with Dampier, a 12-12 guy in the West who should be effective for a few more seasons. Offering him a 7-year deal, as the article states, would be disastrous because it is unlikely a big man will stay healthy AND productive into his late 30s. A better option would be offering him 7 years but with a team option after possibly the 4th season. That way, if production begins to decline the Knicks can cut him after that 4 season, and Dampier still gets more than $40 million in guaranteed money. Dampier instanly gives the Knicks frontcourt credibility, as he's a 7 footer who can rebound and defend with the best of them.

Vince Carter vs. Jamal Crawford
After the Dampier deal (if it does go down), Isiah Thomas will still try to add a scoring, athletic swingman to the team. After weeks of discussions with the Bulls regarding guard Jamal Crawford, talks have come to a standstill. The Knicks have changed their offer, and it is now Shandon Anderson, Cezary Trybanski, Frank Williams, Dikembe Mutumbo, Moochie Norris, and $3 million cash for a resigned Crawford and Jerome Williams, but the Bulls aren't biting. They are hell-bent on not accepting Norris, and the Knicks are now looking at other options.

One of those options is Vince Carter ((link), who has apparently demanded a trade to an Eastern Conference team, preferably the Knicks. New York has become a draw, it seems, ever since Isiah Thomas started running the team.

What would it take to get Carter? The Knicks might have the pieces if they can pull off the Dampier trade. With the Dampier trade, the Knicks could be content starting Dampier at C and Mike Sweetney at PF, making Kurt Thomas expendable. Kurt Thomas, along with Tim Thomas, Frank Williams and a future first round draft for Carter and the Raptors worst contract, Alvin Williams, might get it done. KT joined in the frontcourt with Chris Bosh and Rafael Araujo would give the Raptors a talented and flexible frontcourt, Williams strengthens their point guard position, and Tim Thomas is an athletic SF they'd need in the wake of the loss of Vinsanity. Toronto could start Rafer Alston, Jalen Rose, Tim Thomas, Chris Bosh, and Rafael Araujo and have Kurt Thomas and Frank Williams coming off the bench, and have a very nice team there. The problem is would they draw enough fans without Carter, but nobody seems to have the answer to that question.

The problem with obtaining Air Canada is it makes the Knicks VERY vulnerable to injury. Carter, Allan Houston, and Penny Hardaway all have a very long and detailed medical report, so playing all of them together could be a recipe for disaster.

The Bulls, if the Carter deal really takes shape and has a possibility of getting done, might take Norris just to get the deal done for fear that they'd get left out.

If the Knicks can obtain Dampier and either Crawford or Carter, and it does look like this is at least a possibility, they'd catapault into the upper echelon of the East, joining Indiana, Detroit, and Miami.

Nice article. And those are some interesting trade opportunities BUT we have to really try EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to obtain those guys (or GUY depending on how things turn out). It's easily possible that other teams are looking at the exact same players we are....and want them just as bad. Every GM has his own way of getting things done. Some are high profile with it and some are on the low. I'm just anxious to get that "lead-off" trade done first and foremost. Then see what happens from there. I'd be pissed if we get one, two or all of those guys taken from right under our noses. We at least need that post player and that athletic wing.

I can see an addition of Dampier and Crawford. Vince to NY is more like a media's wet dream to report about and talk about. I think it's more intrigue than anything. But then again, who knows?

Hopefully something of substance will go down this week.

I hope that everything the article speculates really happens:

1. Knicks trade Nazr and Othella for a re-signed Dampier with a team option after the 4th year.

2. Vince pushes Toronto to deal with NY and the discussions get serious. A trade scenario is presented an both teams are close to a deal.

3. Chicago, afraid of losing the only trading partner that has shown seriousness in trading for Crawford, accept to include Moochie in the deal, making Isiah move to a deal. The fact that they get a young player with a chance to become something special, along with trading some of his bad contracts and recieving some good role players makes Zeke accept the deal with the Bulls.

Thats what I would love to see happen. Vince is an All-Star, but the Crawford trade has more pros than his move. I really hope that NY lands Dampier soon. Thats the big first step. Lets hope the two deals really happen.